Coin-controlled lock mechanism.



G. F. RUSSELL. com CONTROLLED LOCK MECHANISM.

APPuc AHoN man JUNE 23. 1916.

Patented Apr. 3, 19171 2 SHEETS-SHEET l G. F. RUSSELL.

COIN CONTROLLED LOCK MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23. ms.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

smite erm ne manna Erin.

GEORGE E. EnssELL, or nofeoKEn, NEW JERSEY.

corn-CONTROLLED LOCK nncnnivrsn.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. RUSSELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hoboken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Lock Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coin controlled lock mechanism and particularly to that class of mechanism which is used 'upon'public pay stations'su'ch as public toilets or the like and has for its principal obie'ct the provision of a coin actuated device of this kind which may be pesitively'operated on the deposit of a coin of a predetermined denomination or value; one which cannot be operated through the use of an under or over sized coin; one which while being principally operable by means of a coin of a fixed value, can, at the election of the operator be made to be responsive to the action of a coin of a greater money value, and I have also provided for compactness in the arrangement of the several operating parts, providing a comparatively few working elements which are so arranged as to be fully operative at times to the action of the deposited coins.

Another object of the invention residesin the provision of a sliding bolt carrying a coin chute, and an indicating mechanism associated with said bolt and normally free and independent thereof and provided with means adapted to be actuated through direct contact with the deposited coin whereby to cause the position of the indicating surface of said mechanism to be changed in succession with movements of the bolt.

Withthe above and other objects in view which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood,the same consists in the imp'roved'construetion and novel arrangements of parts which will hereinafter be fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. 1

In the accompanying drawings, has been illustrated, a single and preferred form of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitations are necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modisp ecificatidn bf Letters iatent.

Patented A r. 3, ram.

Application filed June 23, 1916. Serial No. 105,487.

1 Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through a portion of the lock showing the coin support and chute.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the power transmitting means.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through a portion of the coin chute showing the normal position of the same to the bolt and power transmitting means.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view thereof.

Fig. 10 is a section through the lock casing showing the manual means for transmitting movement to the bolt.

As stated, the invention is designed primarily for use upon pay stations, toilet booths or the like and it includes means whereby, on the deposit or the coin, access can be gained to the booth for the eirclusive accommodation of the customer. In view thereof, I have provided a coin actuated mechanism which will be operative on the deposit of a coin to release a sliding bolt on the door of the booth from the keeper on the jamb and l have combined with a bolt actuating mechanism, a peculiarly formed indieating mechanism in the form of a dial plate respectively bearing the words, Vacant and Occupied, which are adapted to be successively presented for display at the outside of the bc-oth when the sliding bolt is adjusted.

I have also taken into consideration the ossibllitv of the user of the device, attempting to effect an entry to the booth without depositing a coin of a predetermined valuation and th mechanism to be described here in, includes means for preventing the bolt from being operated unless a coin of a fixed value is employed. However, arising circumstances call for provision of means whereby the device can be operated with a coin of a higher valuation and at the discretion of the customer the bolt can be actuated.

The base plate 1, is secured in any suitable well knownmanner to the door A, and said plate is operatively associated with the cars ing 2, and it forms a part thereof. The bas of the casing is extended below the working mechanism of the device so as to form a container 3, for the deposited coins. The front of said container is provided with an annular boss 4, which is recessed at 5, to receive a closing plate 6, which carries a fixed locking lug 7, and a suitable key actuated latch 8, the former and the latter co-acting with a flange 9, forming a part of the casing so as to hold'the closure plate 6. in a locked condition. In order to prevent the latch 8, from oeing'tampered with from the outside, a supplemental closure plate 10, has threaded connection with the boss 4, and is adapted to entirely conceal the plate 6. l

11 represents a horizontally sliding bolt which is free to move over the plate 1, and beyond one edge thereof in order that it may be normally projected into the keeper 12, which is secured to the jamb B. A suitable guide bracket 13, extends from the plate 1, and the same is associated with the sliding bolt in order that uniformity in the movement of the bolt may be set up. The bolt is provided with a vertically rising fixed extension 14, which forms a part of a coin chute 15, the latter having a main channel 16, and a second auxiliary channel 17. These channels open onto the top of the casing 2, and at this instance, it is described that the channel 16, is adapted to operatively accommodate a five cent coin, while the channel 17 is adapted to accommodate a ten cent coin. The base of the fixed extension 14 of the sliding bolt 11, is provided with a coin rest 18, which is continued directly on to the bolt. The walls of the rest preferably merge on to the vertical side of the bolt as at 19, in order that the coin may freely find its escape in a manner to be hereinafter clearly explained.

The base of said extension 14, is slotted at 20, and mounted to swing in the slot is a plate 21. Hinge-d at 22, to the extension 14, is a coin guard and rest 23, which is normally spaced from the swinging plate 21. At one side and in line with the chute 17 the said coin guard and rest 23, is provided with a supporting lug 24, which is adapted to catch the coin after it descends to the base of the chute and it positions the same temporarily in the presence of a fixed lug 25, on the vertical edge of the extension 14. The chute 16, has a branch 26, which opens laterally or forwardly and which is adapted to have communication with a rest 27, secured to the front wall of the casing 2. ll'lLltlQlll) thereto, it follows that when a relatively small coin, such as a dime, penny or small slug, is deposited in the chute 16, it will be free to descend to the base of the chute and beneath said lug 25 and it will then gravitate into the rest 27 and be conveyed back to the depositor. The sliding bolt is provided with a ward 28, which is adapted to co-act with a key (not shown) being presentable to said ward through its entry into a hole 29, in the front wall of the casing 2. It is deemed advisable at this point to describe that the lug 25, is disposed in the direct lateral path of a coin of a. fixed denomination, such as a live cent piece. This is necessary in order to hold the coin in a temporary fixed condition upon the bolt 11, at its pmcture with the extension 14.

The casing supports an oscillating knob 30, whose spindle is fixedly connected with a cam 31. A spring 32, operates to normally hold the cam in a vertical position at on side of the hinged combined coin guard and rest 23. Said rest 23, is slotted vertically at 33, in order that the cam 31, can enter through and beyond the slot and against the swinging plate 21. This construction is designed for the purpose of preventing one from effecting a release of the sliding bolt from its keeper and a slug or coin of an under valuation and size to be deposited in the chute 16,after the knob 30, has been manually operated to bring the cam 31, to a position where it would form a rest for the deposited coin. Were it not for the slot 33, one could turn the knob so as to present the cam 31, against the under sized coin or manipulations might otherwise be carried into effect in order to permit movements to be imparted to the sliding bolt. However, with this arrangement, it is so far found impossible to effect an entry in this manner.

Mounted to slide in a horizontal direction in the casing is a power transmitting device 34, having a guide channel 35, in which a plate 36, is fitted. Extending through the plate and into the section 1, of the casing is a screw 37. This screw also extends through a horizontal slot 38 formed in the vertical wall of the channel 35. The device 34, is off-set at 39, and provided with a rack or toothed surface 40. Beneath the channel 35, and formed in the device 34, is a second channel 41, in which the bolt 11, is free to move. The device 34, carries a lug 42, on which is formed a vertical finger 43, which is normally disposed in the path of the movable sectlon 23, of the coin chute. It follows that on moving the chute toward and against the finger 43, movement will be imparted to the sliding bolt. The device 34, forms a part of an indicating mechanism 44, includmg a shaft 45, having a small gear section 46, meshing with the toothed surface 40, and

a large gear section t7, meshing with a small pinion 4,8, on a dial-plate 419, which finds a support on a horizontal pin 50, which eX- tends from the casing section 1. At one side, the dial is provided respectively with the words, Vacant and Occupied, which are adapted to be alternately brought into registration singly with a view-slot 51, in the front wall of the casing. Said dial is provided on its rear surface with fixed pins 52 and 53, which co-act with a slot 54, in the extension 1' whereby to hold the dial against movement except after the required deposit of a coin of a known denomination,

and movements are brought about to release the extension 14, from the dial.

At this point, it is well to describe that the extension 14-, and the bolt 11, are adapted to move to a slight extent in order to release the dial before the extension 1 1-, fully contacts with the finger e3. It is also well to observe that the finger 43, is normally spaced from said extension 14.

At the base of the device 34:, is a flange 55, having a slot 56, therein. This arrangement is not essential to an operation of the previously described elements but I prefer to employ same in order that a recording device 57, may be used, the arbor 58, of which having a short arm 59, which extends into said slot 56. In this manner, I intend to successfully record the number of times that coins have been deposited in the mechanism and used for the purpose of suc cessfully permitting the bolt to be released from its nosing.

Located upon the door A, is a handle 60, the same being normally disposed on the interior of the booth. Its spindle 61, finds a bearing in the section 1, of the casing and the inner end thereof is provided with a cam 62. This cam is located directly at one side of the hinge 22, and when brought thereagainst, is adapted to cause movements to be transmitted to the bolt 11, and the latter released from its keeper. In this manner, two separate and independent operating devices are employed for actuating the sliding bolt, one of which serving to effect a release of the bolt from its keeper on entering the booth and on the deposit of a coin of a given denomination and the other is used for the purpose of permitting the occupant of the booth to release the bolt from the in side of the booth and to also present the previously deposited coin against the finger 1-3, in order that said coin may pass from the said guard and rest 23, and into the receptacle 3, at the bottom of the casing.

Having described the principal structural features of the device, in operation the same is described as follows Assuming all of the parts to be in their normal positions as shown in Fig. 3, a coin of a five cent denomination, when deposited in the chute 16, will gravitate therein until it comes between the extension 141-, and the hinged guard and rest 23. It is also present at this time at one side of the lug 25. The pin 52, is engaged in the slot 547, and the word Vacant is visible from the view opening 51. By turning the knob 30, in the direction of the arrow shown inFig. 1, the

cam 31, is brought against the coin and the latter advanced against the extension 14, and consequently said extension and the bolt are moved, the latter to a full released position from its keeper 12., During this movement, the extension 14, moves away from the pin 52, and then subsequently, when the extension 1-l.-, is presented against the finger 4:3, movement will be carried into the device 34 and motion imparted to the dial piece so that the word Occupied appears from the view-opening. During these several movements the previously deposited coin remains seated at the base of the chute. When the occupant desires to leave the booth, movement is imparted to the handle 60. The pin 53, is now in the co-acting slot 54:. A short movement is imparted to the bolt under the action of the cam 62, releasing the pin 53, from the slot 54:, and then a further movement is continued until the surface 63 of said cam, is brought against the device 34:, and the surface 64: of said cam against the extension 14, in line with the hinge 22, thus moving the bolt in one direction and an indicating mechanism in an opposite direction. For this reason, I have provided the slot 20, which opens at the base of the extension 14, whereby to permit the finger 43, to pass therethrough at this time.

The same movements are obtained on the deposit of a coin such as a dime in the chute 17. fit this time, the coin rests upon the lug 21-, and is arranged in front of the mating lug 25. Otherwise the operations are the same as previously described.

Theextensionlt, is provided with a vertical slot l-it so that small metallic particles, paper board, slugs, matches or the like which might be deposited in the coin chute 16, will freely find escape through said slot and prevented from gravitating to a passage where it might otherwise interfere with the operations of the device.

Through the fact that the coin is not discharged from the device until after the handle 60, is actuated from within the booth, it is seen that should the door accidentally close, the bolt can be retracted by advancing the cam 31, against the coin.

What is claimed as new is 1. In a coin controlled look, a bolt mounted for sliding movement, a frame supporting the bolt and movable independently thereof, an indicator operatively connected with the frame, means carried by the bolt for locking the indicator, and manually operable means for engaging the coin to move the bolt and release the indicator and move the frame whereby the indicator is operated.

2. In a coin controlled lock, a bolt mounted for sliding movement, a frame supporting the bolt and movable independently thereof, an indicator operatively connected With the frame, a coin chute carried by the bolt for locking the indicator, and manually operable means for engaging the coin to move the bolt and release the indicator and move the frame whereby the indicator is operated.

3. In a coincontrolled look, a bolt mounted for sliding movement, a coin holder carried by the bolt, a frame supporting the the bolt for locking the indicator and manually operable means for engaging the coin to move the bolt and release the indicator and move the frame whereby the indicator is operated.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

" GEORGE F. RUSSELL.

Witnesses ANNA V. DOYLE, CHRIS FEINLE, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

